New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-29
THE BROOKLYN COMMITTEE.
GENERAL oATLIN UNDER INVESTIGATION.
rHs Ex-DIsrRIor ATroRsEY AND HIS ASSISTANTS
EXAMINED.

Yesterday was the last day OF the work OF the
Brooklyn Investigating Committee under the original
resolution oi the Assembly constituting IT, and unless
the tune within which 1t to report IL extended the
taking of testimony ID finished. II was uncertain
when the session euded yesterday whether or not an
extension would be secured. Asscmblymen Cole and
reene OF the Coz; mttee will not join with the other
three members In asking an extension snd trey WIZ pot
be able to attend session In the latter part OF tins
week II tho work COCA Ii 10 thought by some that
the committee could just as we'll have done twice -
mach IS has in the time allotted TO IT, i9r she sos
eight hours might have been occupied. and special
hsste had been desired the committee could have
held evening sious. II IL estimated that the OK
penses tor the members OF the committee, counsel,
etsnographers and sergeantatarms will aggregate
fully 81 ,OOU for each session OF three days
The time yesterday occupied To the examination
Of the Distrct-Attorneys Office under General Catlin'
who preceded Mr. Ridgwsy. All the witnesses ex-
smned except one were Republicans, 'nc9dIne zen
Baokus, and ex-Coroner Mcnnineer. General Catlin
testified that he did not recoect that any convicted
asmblers awaited eel tence when he retired from
Once he left the matter of moving sentences TO his
assistant, NJ Backus. In regard to the fifty cases
against polcydealer, which were dismissed no
thought that there ha been an error and that they
had got the pile OF dismissed indictments through
some ones mistake lie VAS loath to believe that any
pf his clerks were guilty OF malfeassnco He did all
be- could to stop policy selling by indie ing dealers
breezy scene occurred IN the examination when
General Catn objected to the imputation In some OF
John E. Par.onss Inquiries that he had been guilty Of
lac the torn Of his questions altered General Catn
said he asked about matters three and q half
committee would tell him xhst 1t wanted to know be
would hunt up the int, rmstion. When he was asked
what political party he belonged to he said: have
Assembiywsn Aruolo-what do you mean by
have beenf' Has this investigation caused you to
change your political viowsf 49,
General Catlin tsmiling)-NO, am kepubican
STILL and do not question the honesty OF this CON-
nittee.
testify in regard TO what his clerk. John Mitchell.
was asked abo-t GU SATURDAY, IN regard to seeing
money tied up in packages at the Brighton Beach
that he the money so put up. DIR. Menninwr
testified that Mr.. Mitchell told hin he one par nc
nlar package put up every afternoon alter the racing
OF assistant cashiers and kept books at the race
track in the afternoons, lille acting as Coroners
about the probable descent Of the police to stop gamb
ling Mitchell told about the 81 600 and said 1t was
put up for the managers OF the track The
witness knew nothing about the destination OF the
money
B1-Assistant District Attorney John Oakley corroo-
grated General Catlns ev dence. He ord not know
how the policy indictments were dismissed. Chiei
Clerk Bacon, OF MeIiick, l.. L. made Up the list
Andy" Mcclellan backed all the policy dealers in
Brooklyn. The wiiDess caused smile by describing
Mcclellan possessing ministerial cast OF counte-
nance. ~
Chief Clerk York. If the Court of Sessions, testified
that it Was usual Tor Dstret-Attorney to clear out
bis Ohce al the end OF his and bave indictments
dismissed which he thought valueiess. At the end OF
General Catlin's term Mr. Oakley made the usual
motion to have IN ctments dismissed.
Foster L. Backus. who Fist Assistant District
Attorney during Geneai Catn's second term, gave
similar evidence to that given by bis chie in regard TO
the dismissed indictments. lie had nothing TO do
with them He secured conviction In every case he
tried against lottery Mr. Backus said lie thought
Chief Clerk Bacon surreptitiousy put the policy IN
dctments among the others in order to gel t. ON dis
misseu. He thought Mr.. Bacon ought TO have
chance to explain lie was always friendly with the
policy men.
The committee adjourned until next Friday.